1 Samuel 15:30

KJV

Then he said, I have sinned: [yet] honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then he said {H559}, I have sinned {H2398}: yet honour {H3513} me now, I pray thee, before the elders {H2205} of my people {H5971}, and before Israel {H3478}, and turn again {H7725} with me, that I may worship {H7812} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Sha'ul said, "I have sinned; but in spite of that, please show me respect now before the leaders of my people and before Isra'el by coming back with me, so that I can worship ADONAI your God."

Berean Standard Bible

“I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.”

American Standard Version

Then he said, I have sinned: yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship Jehovah thy God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 15:30 captures a pivotal and deeply revealing moment in the narrative of King Saul's rejection by God. Following Samuel's definitive pronouncement that the Lord has torn the kingdom from Saul due to his persistent and defiant disobedience, Saul offers a confession of sin. However, this admission is immediately juxtaposed with a desperate plea for public honor and a request for Samuel to accompany him to maintain a facade of religious devotion before the elders and the people of Israel. This verse starkly illuminates Saul's misplaced priorities, highlighting his profound concern for his public image and human approval above genuine repentance or sincere reconciliation with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the dramatic culmination of a critical confrontation between the prophet Samuel and King Saul, following Saul's disobedient handling of the Amalekite campaign. The immediate preceding verses ([1 Samuel 15:26-29](/1_samuel/15-26-29 "1 Samuel 15:26-29 - Samuel's Rejection of Saul")) detail Samuel's unwavering declaration of God's rejection of Saul as king, reiterating that "the Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you." Saul's previous, self-serving confession in [1 Samuel 15:24](/1_samuel/15-24 "1 Samuel 15:24 - Saul's Blaming Confession") had already revealed his fear of the people over his fear of God. His plea in [1 Samuel 15:30](/1_samuel/15-30 "1 Samuel 15:30 - Saul's Plea for Public Honor") comes after Samuel's final, unyielding judgment, underscoring Saul's persistent failure to grasp the true gravity of his spiritual rebellion. The narrative swiftly moves to Samuel's execution of Agag and his subsequent, permanent withdrawal from Saul, marking a decisive and tragic break in their relationship and signaling the irreversible end of Saul's legitimate reign in God's eyes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The institution of kingship in ancient Israel was still in its nascent stages, and a king's legitimacy was inextricably linked to divine favor and public perception. A king's honor and standing "before the elders of my people, and before Israel" were not merely matters of personal pride but were paramount to his authority, stability, and ability to govern. To be publicly disgraced or abandoned by a revered prophet like Samuel, who directly represented God's authority, would have constituted a catastrophic blow to Saul's rule, potentially leading to widespread unrest or even rebellion. The divine command to utterly destroy the Amalekites (known as *herem*, or holy war) was a non-negotiable injunction, not a suggestion, rooted in their historical and persistent enmity against Israel (cf. [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8-16 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek's Attack and God's Oath")). Saul's partial obedience and subsequent self-serving justifications were a direct affront to God's sovereignty and Israel's covenant obligations, making his desperate concern for human approval in this verse all the more revealing of his spiritually compromised state.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several crucial themes woven throughout the book of 1 Samuel. Firstly, it highlights the **danger of superficial repentance**, where sorrow is primarily for the negative consequences of sin rather than for the profound offense against God Himself. Saul's confession is immediately overshadowed by his overriding desire to preserve his public image, contrasting sharply with the genuine contrition and brokenness exemplified by figures like David (cf. [2 Samuel 12:13](/2_samuel/12-13 "2 Samuel 12:13 - David's Confession to Nathan")). Secondly, it underscores the destructive theme of **prioritizing human approval over divine will**, a recurring and ultimately fatal flaw in Saul's character that consistently leads to his downfall. His fear of man (as articulated in [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man")) consistently eclipsed his fear of God, demonstrating a fundamental spiritual misorientation. Finally, the verse serves as a stark reminder of the inevitable **consequences of disobedience**, particularly in leadership. Saul's persistent failure to obey God's explicit command results in the divine rejection of his dynasty, paving the way for the anointing of David, a man described as being "after God's own heart" (cf. [1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God Seeks a Man After His Own Heart")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** The Hebrew verb חָטָא (_châṭâʼ_) is a primitive root meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," or "to incur guilt." While Saul correctly employs the theological term for wrongdoing, the immediate context of his subsequent plea strongly suggests that his understanding of "sin" here is primarily in terms of its social and political ramifications (e.g., loss of kingdom, public disgrace) rather than a deep spiritual breach against God. His confession conspicuously lacks the brokenness, humility, and genuine sorrow for offending God that characterize true repentance.
* **honour (Hebrew, _kâbad'_):** The Hebrew root כָּבַד (_kâbad_) literally means "to be heavy" or "to be weighty," and by extension, "to be glorious," "to be honored," or "to be respected." Saul's desperate request, "honour me," unequivocally reveals his paramount concern for restoring his "weight" or prestige in the eyes of his people. He is not seeking restoration or reconciliation with God, but rather the preservation of his public standing and the outward appearance of legitimacy, even if it means manipulating Samuel and the religious ceremony.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** In the phrase "the LORD thy God," the word for "God" is אֱלֹהֶיךָ (_ʼĕlôheykha_), which is the plural noun _ʼĕlôhîym_ with a second-person singular possessive suffix ("thy"). While _ʼĕlôhîym_ can refer to the supreme God, Saul's choice of "thy God" instead of "my God" is highly significant. This subtle linguistic detail indicates a spiritual distance and a profound lack of personal, intimate relationship with the God he supposedly serves. It suggests that God is, for Saul, Samuel's God—an external entity to be appeased or used for public show—rather than the object of Saul's own personal devotion, covenant loyalty, and obedient worship. This stands in stark contrast to the language of genuine covenant relationship often found elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., "my God, my God").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he said, I have sinned:"** Saul's confession is belated and appears to be coerced, emerging only after Samuel's unequivocal and final declaration of God's rejection. It conspicuously lacks the spontaneous, contrite quality of genuine remorse. The implied "yet" in the KJV translation (though not explicitly present in the Hebrew conjunction *ak*) powerfully emphasizes the immediate pivot from a superficial admission of guilt to an overriding concern for self-preservation.
* **"[yet] honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel,"** This clause immediately and starkly exposes the true, self-serving motive behind Saul's confession: a desperate and calculated attempt to salvage his public image and maintain his authority. His paramount concern is not for God's glory or forgiveness, but for his reputation and standing among his subjects. The specific mention of "before the elders of my people, and before Israel" underscores his preoccupation with human perception and the approval of his constituents.
* **"and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God."** Saul's request for Samuel to accompany him to worship is a strategic and calculated maneuver designed to project an image of continued divine favor and legitimacy. By having Samuel, God's recognized prophet, present at a public act of worship, Saul hopes to reassure the people, reinforce his position as king, and perhaps even subtly imply that Samuel's pronouncement was not final. The continued use of "thy God" further highlights his spiritual alienation and the transactional nature of his faith, viewing God as Samuel's deity rather than his own personal Lord and covenant partner.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [1 Samuel 15:30](/1_samuel/15-30 "1 Samuel 15:30 - Saul's Plea for Honor") is replete with significant literary devices. There is profound **Irony** at play: Saul confesses sin, yet his immediate subsequent request for public honor and a performative show of worship reveals the utter superficiality of his repentance, making his confession ironic in its lack of genuine contrition. A powerful **Contrast** is drawn between God's absolute demand for sincere obedience and Saul's persistent prioritizing of human approval and outward appearances. This contrast highlights the fundamental spiritual chasm that has developed between Saul and God. The entire scene serves as a vivid piece of **Characterization**, meticulously portraying Saul's deep-seated insecurity, his debilitating fear of man, and his self-serving nature, all of which ultimately prove to be his undoing. Furthermore, the narrative employs **Foreshadowing**, as Saul's chronic inability to truly humble himself and obey God sets the inevitable stage for his complete rejection and the subsequent rise of David, a man whose heart, despite his own significant failures, was genuinely devoted to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Saul's desperate plea in 1 Samuel 15:30 stands as a profound theological warning against superficiality in matters of faith and the perilous trap of the fear of man. His "confession" is not born of a broken and contrite heart, but rather a desperate attempt to mitigate the dire consequences of his disobedience and preserve his public standing. This contrasts sharply with the biblical ideal of repentance, which involves a genuine turning from sin to God, marked by profound humility, sorrow for offending God, and a sincere desire for reconciliation, regardless of external perception. Saul's ultimate concern was his reputation before Israel, not his relationship with the Lord. This episode underscores that God values sincere obedience and a transformed heart far more than outward religious rituals, performative piety, or the maintenance of a respectable facade.

* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Desire for Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's desperate plea in 1 Samuel 15:30 offers timeless and critically important lessons for believers today. It compels us to deeply examine the true motives behind our confessions, our actions, and our spiritual practices. Are we genuinely sorry for offending God when we sin, or are our regrets primarily focused on the negative consequences our actions might bring upon ourselves, our reputation, or our circumstances? True repentance, as exemplified throughout Scripture, involves a profound humility that prioritizes God's honor above our own, a courageous willingness to acknowledge our wrongdoing before Him regardless of public perception, and a sincere desire to turn from our sin and pursue His ways. This passage challenges us to cultivate a heart that fears God more than it fears man, seeking His approval and His glory above all else, recognizing that genuine spiritual health and flourishing stem from an authentic, intimate relationship with Him, not from outward displays of piety or maintaining a facade of respectability before others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Saul's immediate shift from confession to a plea for honor reveal about the true nature of his repentance?**
* **How does the "fear of man" manifest in our own lives, and what practical steps can we take to cultivate a greater "fear of God"?**
* **In what ways might we, consciously or unconsciously, prioritize outward appearances or public perception over genuine obedience and a right, authentic relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Was Saul's confession in 1 Samuel 15:30 genuine?**

Answer: While Saul uses the word "sinned," the immediate context and his subsequent actions strongly suggest his confession was not genuine in the sense of true, heartfelt contrition. His primary concern was to preserve his public image and authority "before the elders of my people, and before Israel," rather than to reconcile with God. His sorrow appears to be for the consequences of his sin (losing the kingdom and public respect), not for the profound offense against God's holiness. This stands in stark contrast to genuine repentance, which focuses on humility and a change of heart, as seen in David's confession in [2 Samuel 12:13](/2_samuel/12-13 "2 Samuel 12:13 - David's Confession to Nathan") or the prodigal son's return in [Luke 15:21](/luke/15-21 "Luke 15:21 - The Prodigal Son's Confession").

**Why did Saul refer to God as "the LORD thy God" instead of "my God"?**

Answer: Saul's choice of "the LORD thy God" (referring to Samuel's God) instead of "the LORD my God" is a significant linguistic detail that reveals his spiritual distance and lack of a personal, intimate relationship with the divine. It suggests that God was, for Saul, an external entity or a deity primarily associated with Samuel's prophetic authority, rather than the object of his own personal devotion and covenant relationship. This impersonal language underscores his spiritual alienation and the transactional nature of his faith, where God is viewed as a means to an end (maintaining public legitimacy) rather than the ultimate end of worship and obedience. This contrasts with the personal language of faith found in passages like [Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd") or [John 20:28](/john/20-28 "John 20:28 - Thomas's Confession").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Saul's tragic failure in 1 Samuel 15:30, marked by superficial repentance and a desperate clinging to human honor, powerfully foreshadows humanity's profound need for a perfect King and a genuine means of reconciliation with God. Saul's inability to truly humble himself and obey stands in stark contrast to Jesus Christ, the ultimate King, who perfectly embodied obedience and humility in every aspect of His life. Unlike Saul, who sought to preserve his own glory and earthly kingdom, Jesus "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility and Incarnation")). Saul's hollow confession of "I have sinned" was a mere echo of true contrition, but Christ, who "knew no sin," became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Saul's overriding concern for public appearance is antithetical to Christ's very mission, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Through Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice on the cross, true forgiveness and genuine repentance are made possible, offering a path to reconciliation with God that is not based on outward show or human approval, but on a transformed heart and a new covenant relationship where God writes His laws on our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promise")). Jesus is the King who truly honors God in all things and whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")), offering eternal life and true honor to all who genuinely humble themselves before Him and confess Him as Lord ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Belief for Salvation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 12:43

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

John 5:44

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

2 Timothy 3:5

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Luke 18:9

¶ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Luke 18:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.